Anti-Bacterial Effect of Titanium-Oxide Nanoparticles and their Application as Alternative to Antibiotics

Bacterial resistance towards antibiotics has been increasing globally posing a serious challenge for agriculture, animal-human health and public health policy makers. The development of plant derived innovative materials for agriculture, medical and dental applications is growing rapidly. The metal oxide nanoparticles are considered as the viable option for the treatment of microbial infections in both humans and animals. In present work, Mentha spicata leaves were used to synthesize the titanium-oxide Np's and their characterization was carried out by atomic force microscope (AFM), fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray diffraction pattern spectroscopy (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and uv/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The antimicrobial sensitivity was done by disc diffusion test against pathogenic bacteria of animal origin such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results indicated that titanium-oxide Np's were round, smooth with particle size of 39nm. These Np's were having anatase phase which were pure in their composition and functional compounds. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing revealed zones of 24 , 23, 17 and 24mm against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. On the basis of results, it can be concluded that titanium-oxide Np's prepared through Mentha spicata were safe, sustainable and having potent antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains which can be used as an alternative antimicrobial agent for medical and dental applications.